Know Your Walkers – Steve

In the fifth entry of our Know Your Walkers series, we meet Steve, from Virginia, USA. He’ll be a member of Team Ocelot.

Who are you? What do you do, where do you do it, etc.?

Hi, I am Steve Roberts, husband to Sherry. We live in Fredericksburg, VA with two daughters aged 9 and 12. I work for the federal government in Dahlgren, VA as a project manager. I have been working there for almost 20 years. That is where I met my wife back in ‘92. It amazes me that I have stayed there for that long, but I am not interested in spending my life in a car so I won’t get a job in Washington D.C. I did do one detail assignment at the Pentagon, but that was only because the commute was on the clock. I stored up lots of leave that year.

Why are you going on this walk?

Why am I going? I mean, besides to raise money for the Joseph Salmon Trust and because my wife told me we were. I am going because I think it will be fun to hike across a country. Not going to accomplish that here in the US. We also enjoyed the UK 2 years ago when we went to see my dad’s boyhood home in Kent. We talked about going back sometime and next summer seems as good as any. My only fear is losing too much weight as I am a reasonably picky eater. Last time we went, I lost about 10 pounds. I had many dinners of just cheese chips. Should be interesting.

What song will we most likely hear you singing to yourself at some point during the walk?

I am not sure what I may sing. I listen to lots of different things from country to classic rock to alternative rock. It will probably the last thing I heard on my mp3 player. Usually something like Yes, Crowded House, Blink-182, or Green Day. Just saw Green Day with my 12-year old daughter. We both loved the show. I didn’t scream as much as her, though. She lost her voice by the end of it.

What kind of boots will you be wearing that week?

Not sure on the boots yet. I have bought a pair of mid top Merrells. I am still trying to decide between those or low tops. With the elevation change only being 1000 ft, I am not sure if I will need the extra ankle support. Will definitely buy them with plenty of time to break in as well as from REI as they offer a 100% return policy if not satisfied.

What one completely unnecessary luxury item will you be carrying with you on the walk?

As for unnecessary items, I haven’t really planned this far ahead. As it stands right now, I am trying to pack as light as possible so I can survive the hike. I guess my mp3 qualifies. Not truly necessary for the hike, but definitely necessary for the plane ride. Knowing me, it will probably be a pack of a hundred bandaids. Sherry thinks I have a fear of bleeding to death as I always have tons of bandaids in the house. So, if you cut yourself, just let me know.

Anything else we should know about you before we spend a week of our lives together?

Be warned, though, as I have been told I walk fast. Maybe it’s my long legs and that everyone else has to take three steps to my two. I don’t know. To me, I am just walking normal speed. I can’t help it if you short people can’t keep up. I might be slowed from the flight, though, as coach class kills my knees. One of the down sides of being tall and not extremely wealthy.

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